Global Terrorism (part ends )

The establishment of Israel in 1948 in Palestine was a major blow to the native Palestinians. Another part of the Palestinian land was taken over by the Jordanians.

In 1907, Israel took over the entire Palestinian land of the West Hank and Gaza and as a result of all these; millions of Palestinians became refugees and were also subjected to foreign occupation. Israel's intransigence on the Palestinian issue has led to the creation of a number of terrorist outfits like the Hamas. Islamic Jihad. Al Aqsa Brigade, etc. The unconditional support of America for Israel and the helplessness of Arab states after the collapse of their patron, the Soviet Union have led to these groups starling a wave of violence in the region against Israeli and American targets. Of late, these attacks have become extra regional as the terrorist groups have declared jihad against infidel targets worldwide. Elsewhere in the region, Iran, Syria and Lebanon have close links with Hezbollah, which is another terrorist outfit. The region is also plagued with terrorist movements of the Kurds especially in Turkey.

Kashmir, often described as a nuclear flash point by Americans is another major arena of terrorism. Pakistan. Which illegitimately occupies a substantial chunk' of Kashmir is providing support and abetting' infiltrators who cross over India. The Pakistani ISI maintains training camps. Supplies arms and other provisions for gullible youngsters to make them jehadis. The Taliban militants dislodged from Afghanistan by the US are also involved in Kashmir terrorism currently. Pakistan can he considered as the epicenter of global terrorism. On its eastern front it runs terrorist camps to destabilize India. On the western flank (the North West province) it actively helps the Taliban militia to overthrow the Hamid Kariut regime in Afghanistan. Ironically the US which has declared the global war on terrorism is oblivious to this and the Pakistani dictator Musharraf is their blue-eyes boy. Such double standards tire a major reason for the spread of terrorism across the globe.

There are also other terrorist outfits like the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eel am (LTTE) in Sri Lanka. The Maoists in Nepal which use terror as a tool of political ends Terror persists in Indonesia Philippines, Chechnya the Balkans, Spam (Basque militants) and many parts of Africa.

Today, almost every country faces the threat of terrorism in varying degrees. It is educated and unemployed youth become terrorists. They join the terrorist group not always out of conviction. Very often they are fed up with their unproductive, unemployed status and join the militants for money. Political, economic and social causes can be identified for the mushrooming of the cruel terrorist groups

A complete absence of ethics Extreme ruthlessness. Excellent co ordination and sound finances have made terrorist strikes more deadly and effective. The terrorists are employing most modern scientific devices and communication tools. Some of them are bankrolled by oil rich sheikhdoms. They are cold blooded murderers and do not even spare civilians. Women or children. Most of them tire fiercely motivated often by religious dogmas which them more dangerous. However, it is impossible to tackle this menace by just treating the symptoms. Peace and stability can be restored.

By: Sumit Jha
Published: 04/11/08